"He did not decline the Speakership." Caricature lithograph.

by Lyall, Charles

Chromolithograph of a Vanity Fair caricature, Statesman, No.119. The Right Honourable Edward Pleydell Bouverie, M.P.

Vanity Fair lithograph by Charles Lyall (c1833-1911), opera singer and caricaturist for five Vanity Fair lithographs. Mr Bouverie "...entered at an early age into political apprenticeship under the auspices of Lord Palmerston, and he is now become eminent in the trade... he not only displayed a sound judgment of the relative importance of things, but had also acquired an intimate knowledge of the practical machinery of politics... He did not decline the Speakership, however, for it was not offered to him; and he is not unconscious of the loss that the House of Commons has sustained through the omission."

Vanity Fair was a weekly magazine of social comment, published in London from 1868 to 1914. With eight to ten pages each issue, Vanity Fair magazine's popularity was guaranteed with the inclusion of an amusing caricature, lithographed from a watercolour, parodying any newsworthy personage. Over the years of publication it became a mark of honour to be the 'victim' of one of the magazine's caricaturists. The publisher accompanied each with a witty text, written under his nickname of 'Jehu Junior' (after the biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies). He considered the caricatures made grim faces more grim, grotesque figures more grotesque, and dull people duller by the genius of ‘Ape’" (Carlo Pellegrini, 1839-1889). It was the first time lithography had been used for caricatures. They were printed by the eminent lithographer, Vincent Brooks (1814-1885).

Page size 355 x 230 (14 x 9 inches). In good condition.